RockHounds Storm Back For Walk-Off Win

RockHounds 5, Corpus Christi Hooks 4
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Security Bank Ballpark
The RockHounds used the Aerosmith school of baseball ("walk this way") to defeat the Corpus Christi Hooks, 5-4, Thursday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
Trailing, 4-2, going into the ninth, the RockHounds used three consecutive singles to draw within 4-3 ... a bases-loaded walk to tie the game (Taylor Motter's second RBI of the night) ... and another (this time with two outs) to win it, with Mickey McDonald drawing the "walk-off walk" against reliever Tommy DeJuneas.
Stephen Wrenn's solo home run put the Hooks up, 1-0, in the second, and the 'Hounds tied the game on a Nate Mondou single and Motter's two-out RBI double in the fourth. Mondou's two-out RBI single in the fifth (preceded by two walks) then gave the RockHounds a 2-1 lead.
Two singles and a throwing error tied the game in the Hooks' eighth inning and Jake Adams' double broke the tie. Corpus then pushed the lead to 4-2 in the ninth, fueled by catcher Chuckie Robinson, who singled and stole two bases before scoring on a single by Bryan De La Cruz.
Mikey White led off the ninth with a single to right and Mondou and Edwin Diaz (RBI) followed with two more singles, setting the stage for "Aerosmith."
The 'Hounds broke a five-game slide with the much-needed win in the opener of a four-game weekend series with the Hooks.
Notables
Amarillo fell, 3-1, at Frisco, so the Texas League South Division race tightened up ... a little. The Sod Poodles (28-18) lead the RockHounds (23-23) by five games ... Frisco (22-23, corrected) by 5½ ... and Corpus Christi (22-24) by six. The RockHounds (57-58) lead the potential wild card race by a game-and-a-half over Frisco (55-59) and by two games over Corpus (55-60).
While he didn't figure in the decision, Kyle Friedrichs was outstanding, again, recording a quality start. The RockHounds' right-hander went six innings and allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six. In his last five starts, Kyle has allowed a total of five earned runs in 30 ⅔ innings (a 1.47 ERA.
Edwin Diaz is 7-for-14 in the homestand, with three runs, three doubles and two RBI.
Next Game
Friday, August 9    vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
Security Bank Ballpark           7:00 p.m. (Gates open 6:00)
Matamoscas de Midessa & Sugar Skull Bobbleheads  
- Second of a four-game series and fifth of a seven-game homestand
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:15 p.m.
Probable Starters               
CC:                       Forrest Whitley   (RH,    0-0, 2.25)
RH:                       Grant Holmes      (RH,    5-4, 4.04)